Share

FBI Releases Photos, Video of Suspects in Boston Bombings

"Suspect 1" in the Boston Marathon bombings. Photo: FBI

"Suspect 1" in the Boston Marathon bombings. Photo: FBI

Surveillance camera footage, aided by imagery provided by the public, enabled the FBI to release photographs and video of two unidentified young men it called suspects in Monday's deadly Boston Marathon bombing.

The pictures, culled from what FBI special agent in charge Richard DesLauriers called "thousands of leads," showed one man, "Suspect 1," wearing a dark baseball cap, blue coat and white t-shirt – possibly with the Bridgestone "B" logo. The other, "Suspect 2," wears a white backwards cap over shaggy, curly hair. Both men carried backpacks, and "appear to be associated," DesLauriers said.

Neither suspect is in custody. Suspect 2 was last seen walking west on Boylston Street shortly before the 2:50 p.m. bombing that killed three people and wounded more than 180 others. The FBI stopped short of calling them the bombers, but DesLauriers said Suspect 2 set his backpack down at the Forum Restaurant, by the blast site.

"Identifying and locating those responsible is now our highest priority," DesLauriers told reporters late this afternoon.

The FBI refrained from describing either suspect by race or ethnicity – neither of which is clear in the imagery – a looming backstory in the unfolding disaster. The New York Post published photographs on its front page of two young men, apparently of Middle Eastern extraction, whom it implied were FBI suspects. DesLauriers flatly said that was untrue.

"At this time, these are the people of interest," DesLauriers said. "Other photos should not be deemed credible."

Members of the public have been providing the FBI with a variety of images taken at the Copley Square scene. It appears a surveillance camera captured the two men. DesLauriers said images provided by those in the crowd helped investigators, who are being led by the FBI, develop the profile of Suspect 2. "We will continue to work on developing additional images to improve their identification value," he said.

DesLauriers warned the public not to attempt to apprehend the men, who are considered "armed and extremely dangerous." He urged anyone with information to contact police or the FBI.

"Somebody out there knows these individuals as friends, neighbors, co-workers or family members of the suspect," DesLauriers said. But he added he believes there is no "imminent danger" of a follow-on attack.